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J-P Conte Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.5M
Grant Range
$100K - $25.0M

J-P Conte Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4.5 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation only/preselected organizations)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $5,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on California/San Francisco Bay Area

Contact Details

Website: https://contefamilyfoundation.com/
Address: San Francisco, CA
EIN: 81-4625648

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact should be made through the website or social media channels for inquiries only.

Overview

The J-P Conte Family Foundation was established in 2017 by Jean-Pierre L. Conte, Chairman and Managing Partner of Genstar Capital, to honor his first-generation immigrant parents, Pierre and Isabel Conte. With total assets of $74.5 million as of 2023, the foundation distributed $4.5 million through 19 grants. The foundation focuses on three core areas: educational equity for first-generation students, environmental conservation and wildfire research, and immigration policy reform. Conte's personal background as the son of immigrants from France and Cuba shapes the foundation's mission to support educational opportunity, ecological sustainability, freedom of speech, legal immigration, and justice. Recent major gifts include $5 million to UCSF's Department of Neurology (2024) and $25 million to Colgate University for a social center (2025).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than formal grant programs:

  • Educational Equity Initiatives: $100,000 - $500,000+ per organization

    • Conte First Generation Fund supports first-generation college students at 11 major universities including Colgate University and Harvard University
    • Partnership grants awarded on a discretionary basis

  • Major Institutional Gifts: $1,000,000 - $25,000,000

    • Significant multi-year commitments to universities and research institutions
    • Recent examples: UCSF ($5 million), Colgate University ($25 million)

  • Environmental Conservation: $100,000 - $1,000,000

    • Focus on wildfire research and ecological sustainability
    • Multi-year partnerships with research institutions

  • Immigration Research & Policy: Endowed initiatives and multi-year commitments

    • Academic research and policy development support

Application Method: Invitation only/preselected organizations - no public application process

Priority Areas

Educational Equity & Social Mobility

  • First-generation college students, particularly from immigrant families
  • College access and success programs for low-income and underrepresented students
  • Programs bridging high school to college transition
  • Internship and mentorship opportunities for disadvantaged youth

Environmental Conservation

  • Wildfire research and prevention
  • Ecological research and monitoring
  • Science-based conservation education
  • Northern California environmental initiatives

Immigration Reform & Policy

  • Data-driven immigration policy research
  • Economic impact studies of immigration
  • Support for immigrant integration and success
  • Academic research on immigration's role in innovation and prosperity

Specific Organizations Currently Supported:

  • 10,000 Degrees (received $250,000 in 2023)
  • SEO Scholars (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity)
  • Pepperwood Preserve (received $100,000 in 2023, $1 million previously)
  • UCSF Department of Neurology
  • Harvard Business School (received $500,000 in 2023)
  • J-P Conte Initiative on Immigration at Hoover Institution (endowed)
  • Colgate University

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focused approach suggests:

  • Organizations outside their three core priority areas
  • International programs (focus appears domestic)
  • General operating support for organizations not already in their portfolio
  • Individual scholarships (funding flows through institutional partners)

Governance and Leadership

Jean-Pierre L. Conte - Founder, President, and sole decision-maker

  • Chairman and Managing Partner of Genstar Capital (private equity firm with ~$49 billion in assets under management)
  • Graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Business School
  • Member of Hoover Institution Board of Overseers
  • Son of first-generation immigrants from France and Cuba

Operational Structure: The foundation operates as a private family foundation with no paid staff and no traditional board of trustees. All grantmaking decisions are made directly by Conte, reflecting his personal philanthropic priorities and relationships.

Key Philosophy: In his own words about UCSF's capabilities: "UCSF is an incredible place – the #1 recipient of NIH funding, with some of the most highly regarded clinician-scientists working to improve treatments." More broadly, he states: "Investing in UCSF means empowering the best-equipped players to solve the most complex problems in health."

Conte's approach emphasizes "real, accountable change to communities and individuals: not just aesthetic public relations," prioritizing organizations that demonstrate measurable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

According to the foundation's communications, "The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through:

  • Founder's discretion based on personal relationships and knowledge
  • Strategic partnerships with organizations Conte is already involved with through board service or advisory roles
  • Major institutional relationships, particularly with his alma maters
  • Organizations introduced through his professional network in private equity and business

Getting on Their Radar

Note: The following information is specific to this funder based on research into Conte's documented approach:

  • Board Service and Active Involvement: Conte serves on the Hoover Institution Board of Overseers and is actively involved with organizations he supports. His giving appears to follow his personal engagement - he doesn't just write checks but participates in mentorship and organizational governance.

  • Private Equity Network: As Chairman of Genstar Capital, Conte collaborated with seven other private equity firms to pledge internship opportunities for SEO Scholars students. His professional network in private equity appears to be one avenue for organizational introductions.

  • Alumni Networks: Significant giving to his alma maters (Colgate University, Harvard Business School) suggests alumni connections may facilitate introductions. The Conte First Generation Fund operates at 11 universities, though only his alma maters are publicly named.

  • Personal Connection to Mission: Conte's open letter about SEO Scholars and his public statements about his father's Parkinson's care at UCSF demonstrate that personal experience drives his giving. Organizations working on issues connected to his family story (immigrant success, first-generation education, neurological disease) align with his documented interests.

  • San Francisco Bay Area Presence: Strong focus on Bay Area organizations (10,000 Degrees, Pepperwood Preserve, UCSF) suggests geographic proximity may facilitate relationship building.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature and sole decision-maker structure, timing likely varies based on relationship development and strategic fit rather than formal cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2023, the foundation made 19 grants to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - grants are awarded through ongoing relationships and founder discretion rather than formal application cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, the following represents intelligence on what Conte values based on his documented giving patterns and public statements:

Demonstrable Impact Over Optics Conte explicitly states the foundation delivers "real, accountable change to communities and individuals: not just aesthetic public relations." Organizations must demonstrate measurable outcomes, not just compelling narratives.

Investment in Excellence Conte's giving pattern shows preference for top-tier institutions and programs. His quote about UCSF - "empowering the best-equipped players to solve the most complex problems" - reflects a strategy of backing excellence and expertise rather than spreading resources broadly.

Personal Connection to Mission Every documented major gift ties to Conte's personal story:

  • First-generation education support honors his immigrant parents
  • UCSF neurology gift stemmed from his father's Parkinson's care there
  • Pepperwood Preserve reflects his passion for wildfire research and conservation
  • Immigration research connects to his family's immigrant experience

Long-Term Partnership Approach The foundation works with current partners including UCSF, 10,000 Degrees, APEC, SEO Scholars, Pepperwood Preserve, and Hoover Institution. Conte appears to build sustained relationships rather than making one-time grants, as evidenced by multiple gifts to Pepperwood ($100,000 in 2023, $1 million previously) and major endowed commitments.

Alignment with American Values and Opportunity The foundation explicitly supports "educational equity, social mobility, ecological sustainability, freedom of speech, legal immigration, and justice." Organizations advancing what Conte sees as core American values - particularly opportunity for immigrants and first-generation Americans - align with his worldview.

Data-Driven Policy and Research The J-P Conte Initiative on Immigration emphasizes "cutting-edge research" and "informed academic and policy debates on the economic effects of immigration." Conte values rigorous research that informs policy, not advocacy alone.

Active Engagement Model Conte doesn't just fund - he mentors SEO Scholars students personally, serves on the Hoover Institution Board, and maintains active relationships with grantees. Organizations must be prepared for an engaged donor, not a passive funder.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not an accessible funder for most organizations - The foundation only supports preselected organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests. Traditional grant applications will not be successful.

  • Relationship building is the only pathway - Access requires introduction through Conte's professional network (private equity, Genstar Capital), alumni connections (Colgate, Harvard), board relationships (Hoover Institution), or existing grantee partnerships.

  • Focus areas are tightly defined - Educational equity for first-generation students, environmental conservation (especially wildfire research), and immigration policy research are the only funded areas. Mission drift is unlikely given sole decision-maker structure.

  • Scale matters - Recent grants range from $100,000 to $25 million, with the foundation holding $74.5 million in assets. This is a funder capable of transformational gifts but making relatively few grants annually (19 in 2023).

  • Geographic sweet spot is San Francisco Bay Area - While the foundation funds nationally (11 universities, Harvard, etc.), significant giving concentrates in the Bay Area (UCSF, 10,000 Degrees, Pepperwood Preserve, Hoover Institution at Stanford).

  • Institutional credibility is essential - Grantees include elite universities (Harvard, Colgate, UCSF) and established organizations (SEO Scholars, Hoover Institution). Emerging organizations without track records are unlikely to receive support.

  • Personal story and immigrant experience resonate - Conte's giving is deeply personal, honoring his parents' immigrant journey. Organizations serving first-generation immigrants and their families, particularly educational opportunity, align with his core motivations.

References

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